Wind n Sea fishing

Dropper loop rig with at least a 1/0 octopus style hook, market shrimp, squid, or fresh mackerel always works for me. If you're getting them there then find another spot.

 

Use dead cow hoves on a sabiki rig with size 10/0 mosquito hooks and 135 splitshots

 

Number four or six hook and shrimp, spider hitch over a surgeon loop.. you are welcome

 

Exactly these rubber lips are pissing me off right now lol

 

Yep, probably rock wrasse and juvie sheep too.. lol

 

AGREE 100%. I didn't catch 1 wrasse last fall winter and ended up reeling in about a dozen this past weekend. The wrasse are definitely on the chew...well more like bait-stripping, pecking nibbles.

 

Yeah, what they said. Use SMALL hooks. Halfmoon, wrasse, opaleye, kelp fish, etc. There are no shortage of small-mouth bait thieves in La Jolla. I would suggest bringing some squid with you next time. Shrimp is still my favorite bait, and I make sure to always bring some with me to LJ, but if the thieves are out in force the squid does a much better job of staying on the hook.

 

Get some kosher salt and make multiple layers of salt, then squid and or shrimp in a flat container. Let it sit for a few days for the bait to dry out. It will stay on the hook better and the salt trail helps to attract fish. Can't reuse the salt for a second batch after it sucks the moisture out of the bait it is wet and soggy. Maybe you can dry it out and use it again idk.
Also when dried out it lasts for months, won't stink up your car or garage, and you can just stick some in your pants pocket no special storage needed.

 

I hear and agree (in theory) with everything in your post. But...I've cured squid, smelt, and mussels per your instructions and have never caught, or even had a bite, on salted bait. I've even tried switching to cured bait while fishing an active spot and its like using an empty hook. Where and how often do you use salted bait?

 

Everywhere, the same places I use non salted bait. You're using kosher salt and not regular iodized/table salt?

 

Yea, straight up salt. Even tried salt from these guys.

 

The trick is to rinse off the salt before casting it.

 

Rinse off the "salt" before casting it...into "salt" water? Wouldn't it get rinsed off the minute it hits the drink? Ummmm...????

 

Ya man, that's why it's funny.

 

shrimp is magic as stated above

 

BEST Surf Fishing Rig?! - How to Tie the Spider Hitch Rig

 

Hey Coach when you tie on your hook or weight are you looping over the hook or weight?

 

Yep.. or even tying a Palomar if I am feeling paranoid..